Pathogenic control compositions and methods

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods for treating plant, aquatic, and/or livestock pathogens. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to activated compositions having metal nanoparticles and/or one or more organic acids for the treatment of harmful plant, aquaculture, or livestock pathogens, and also relates to methods of making and using the compositions.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/937,480, filed on Jul. 23, 2020, which is a continuationapplication of PCT Application No. PCT/US2019/049201, filed Aug. 30,2019, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of pathogeniccontrol. In particular, the present disclosure relates to compositionsand methods for controlling pathogens that have deleterious effects inagriculture, including in crop cultivation, aquaculture production, orin livestock production.

BACKGROUND

The global production of crops, aquatic farms, and livestock continuesto increase. The increased global production in agriculture, includingcrops, aquaculture, and livestock is accompanied with increased plant,fish, crustaceans, and animal diseases due to harmful pathogens, such asfungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, or prions. In an effort to combatthese pathogens, the application and distribution of pesticides hasincreased dramatically. Many pesticides include toxic chemicals that,while sometimes efficacious in controlling or mitigating pathogens,often result in harmful consequences to humans and to the environment,including to ground water, flora, and fauna. Further, many chemicals inuse are persistent in the environment, further exacerbating the harmfulconsequences by mutating the fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematode, orprions.

Pesticides can reach surface water through runoff from treated plantsand soil. Contamination of water by pesticides is widespread. Theresults of a comprehensive set of studies done by the U.S. GeologicalSurvey (USGS) on major river basins across the country in the early tomid-90s yielded startling results. More than 90 percent of water andfish samples from all streams contained one, or more often, severalpesticides (Kole et al; 2001).

SUMMARY

Described herein are compositions and methods for controlling pathogensthat have a deleterious effect in global food production and planthealth.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to activated compositions fortreating a plant pathogen, or for treating an aquaculture pathogen. Insome embodiments, the compositions include one or more metalnanoparticles and one or more organic acids. In some embodiments, themetal nanoparticles include gold, silver, magnesium, zinc, calcium,manganese, copper, palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, cerium, iron,thallium, molybdenum, or an alloy, oxide, hydroxide, sulfide, nitrate,phosphate, fluoride, or chloride thereof. In some embodiments, the oneor more organic acids comprise tannic acid, citric acid, tri-sodiumcitric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid,maleic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid,benzoic acid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid,naphthalenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, malonic acid,sulfosalicylic acid, glycolic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate, pamoate,salicylic acid, stearic acid, phthalic acid, mandelic acid, or lacticacid, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the metalnanoparticles are present in an amount of less than 1% of the amount ofthe one or more organic acids. In some embodiments, the metalnanoparticles are present in the composition in an amount ranging fromabout 1 ppm to about 50,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the metalnanoparticles are monodispersed in the composition. In some embodiments,the monodispersion of the nanoparticles is achieved by sonication,emulsifier, surfactant, or other dispersion techniques. In someembodiments, the composition is activated by excitation with sonication,a laser, an electron gun, or thermal excitation. In some embodiments,the composition is formulated as a spray, a solution, a mist, or apowder. In some embodiments, the metal nanoparticles have a diameterranging from about 1 nm to about 200 nm. In some embodiments, the metalnanoparticles are silver nanoparticles having a diameter ranging fromabout 1 nm to about 20 nm, wherein the one or more organic acidscomprise tannic acid and citric acid or tri-sodium citrate, and whereinthe composition is activated by excitation with sonication, a laser, anelectron gun, or thermal excitation. In some embodiments, the activatedcomposition has increased viscosity compared to a non-activatedcomposition. In some embodiments, the activated composition remainsstable for a period of at least 2 years.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to methods of making any of theactivated compositions described herein. In some embodiments, themethods include generating metal nanoparticles, mixing the metalnanoparticles with one or more organic acids, and activating thecomposition by exciting the composition with energy using an energysource. In some embodiments, the energy source is sonication, a laser,an electron gun, or thermal excitation. In some embodiments, activatingthe composition comprises modulating the ionic, electronic, or quantummechanics properties of the composition. In some embodiments, activatingthe composition comprises increasing electron ion activity in thecomposition, increases nanoparticle density, increases phonons, orincreases particle ions.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to systems for making any of thecompositions described herein. In some embodiments, the system includesone or more activation chambers and an energy source. In someembodiments, the energy source includes a sonicator, a laser, anelectron gun, or a thermal energy source. In some embodiments, thesystem further includes one or more storage containers. In someembodiments, the system further includes one or more pumps. In someembodiments, the system further includes a computer processor, memory,circuit, sensor, monitor, real-time feedback loop, pump, actuator,switch, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system isan automated system.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to methods of mitigating orcontrolling plant pathogens. In some embodiments, the method includesapplying any one of the compositions described herein to a plant, aportion of a plant, or a plant component. In some embodiments, the plantcomponent is a leaf, stem, trunk, stalk, flower, branch, fruit, root,shoot, bud, rhizome, or seed. In some embodiments, the plant pathogen isa mold, mold spore, fungus, mutated fungus, fungi spore, bacterium,mutated bacterium, virus, mutated virus, nematode, prion, or mutatedprion. In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Cubense. In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is Mycosphaerellafijiensis. In some embodiments, applying the composition includesspraying, misting, crop-dusting, soaking the soil, or watering theplant. In some embodiments, applying the composition treats or preventsa plant disease.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to methods of mitigating orcontrolling aquaculture pathogens. In some embodiments, the methodincludes applying any one of the compositions described herein to anaquaculture. In some embodiments, the aquaculture includes aquatic life,including fish, crustaceans, or mollusks. In some embodiments, theaquatic life is a fish, a shrimp, or an oyster. In some embodiments, theaquaculture pathogen is a fungi, mutated fungi, bacterium, mutatedbacterium, virus, or mutated virus. In some embodiments, applying thecomposition includes contacting the aquaculture water with thecomposition or providing the aquatic life with feed having thecomposition. In some embodiments, applying the composition treats orprevents a disease that affects the aquatic life.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to kits for treating a plantpathogen or for treating an aquaculture pathogen. In some embodiments,the kit includes any one of the compositions described herein and adispensing apparatus capable of applying the composition to a plant oraquaculture. In some embodiments, the dispensing apparatus is a spraybottle, a sprayer, a nozzle, a high-pressure fluid soil injectionsystem, or a drip line. In some embodiments, the compositions in the kitare concentrated compositions that are to be diluted prior toapplication. In some embodiments, the kit is a ready-to-use kit havingcompositions in the appropriate concentration that is ready forapplication.

Accordingly, some embodiments are provided herein as set forth in thefollowing numbered alternatives:

1. An activated composition for treating a plant pathogen, thecomposition comprising: one or more metal nanoparticles; and one or moreorganic acids.

2. The composition of alternative 1, wherein the metal nanoparticlescomprise gold, silver, magnesium, zinc, calcium, manganese, copper,palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, cerium, iron, thallium,molybdenum, or an alloy, oxide, hydroxide, sulfide, nitrate, phosphate,fluoride, or chloride thereof.

3. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-2, wherein the one ormore organic acids comprise tannic acid, citric acid, tri-sodium citricacid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, maleicacid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoicacid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid,naphthalenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, malonic acid,sulfosalicylic acid, glycolic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate, pamoate,salicylic acid, stearic acid, phthalic acid, mandelic acid, or lacticacid, or combinations thereof.

4. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-3, wherein the metalnanoparticles are present in an amount of less than 1% of the amount ofthe one or more organic acids.

5. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-4, wherein the metalnanoparticles are present in the composition in an amount ranging fromabout 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm.

6. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-5, wherein the metalnanoparticles are monodispersed via sonication, emulsification,surfactant, or similar suspension techniques.

7. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-6, wherein thecomposition is activated by excitation with sonication, a laser, anelectron gun, or thermal excitation.

8. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-7, wherein thecomposition is formulated as a spray, a solution, a mist, a seedcoating, or a powder.

9. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-8, wherein the metalnanoparticles have a diameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 200 nm.

10. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-9, wherein the metalnanoparticles are silver nanoparticles present in an amount ranging fromabout 10 ppm to about 60 ppm, having a diameter ranging from about 1 nmto about 20 nm, and wherein the one or more organic acids comprisetannic acid present in an amount of about 30 mM, and citric acid ortri-sodium citrate present in an amount ranging from about 30 mM toabout 300 mM.

11. The composition of alternative 10, wherein the composition isactivated by excitation with sonication, a laser, an electron gun, orthermal excitation.

12. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-11, wherein theactivated composition has increased viscosity compared to anon-activated composition.

13. The composition of any one of alternatives 1-12, wherein theactivated composition remains stable for a period of at least 2 years.

14. A method of making an activated composition, the method comprising:generating metal nanoparticles; mixing the metal nanoparticles with oneor more organic acids; and activating the composition chemical reductionor excitation of the composition with energy using an energy source.

15. The method of alternative 14, wherein the activated composition isthe composition of any one of alternatives 1-13.

16. The method of any one of alternatives 14-15, wherein the energysource is sonication, a laser, an electron gun, or thermal excitation.

17. The method of any one of alternatives 14-16, wherein activating thecomposition comprises modulating the ionic, electronic, or quantummechanics properties of the composition.

18. The method of any one of alternatives 14-17, wherein activating thecomposition comprises increasing electron ion activity in thecomposition, increases nanoparticle density, increases phonons, orincreases a quantity of particle ions.

19. A system for making a composition, wherein the system comprises: oneor more activation chambers; and an energy source.

20. The system of alternative 19, wherein the composition is thecomposition of any one of alternatives 1-13.

21. The system of any one of alternatives 19-20, wherein the energysource comprises a sonicator, a laser, an electron gun, or a thermalenergy source.

22. The system of any one of alternatives 19-21, further comprising astorage container.

23. The system of any one of alternatives 19-22, further comprising oneor more pumps.

24. The system of any one of alternatives 19-23, further comprising acomputer processor, memory, circuit, sensor, monitor, real-time feedbackloop, pump, actuator, switch, or any combination thereof.

25. The system of any one of alternatives 19-24, wherein the system isan automated system.

26. A method of mitigating or controlling a plant pathogen, the methodcomprising: applying a composition to a plant, a portion of a plant, ora plant component.

27. The method of alternative 26, wherein the composition is thecomposition of any one of alternatives 1-13.

28. The method of any one of alternatives 26-27, wherein the plantcomponent is a leaf, stem, trunk, stalk, flower, branch, fruit, root,shoot, bud, rhizome, or seed.

29. The method of any one of alternatives 26-28, wherein the plantpathogen is a mold, mold spore, fungus, mutated fungus, fungi spore,bacterium, mutated bacterium, virus, mutated virus, nematode prion, ormutated prion.

30. The method of any one of alternatives 26-29, wherein the plantpathogen is Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense.

31. The method of any one of alternatives 26-29, wherein the plantpathogen is Mycosphaerella fijiensis.

32. The method of any one of alternatives 26-31, wherein applying thecomposition comprises drenching, spraying, misting, crop-dusting,soaking, seed-coating, or watering the plant, the portion of the plant,or the plant component.

33. The method of any one of alternatives 26-32, wherein applying thecomposition treats a plant disease.

34. A kit, comprising: the composition of any one of alternatives 1-13;and a dispensing apparatus capable of applying the composition to aplant.

35. The kit of alternative 34, wherein the dispensing apparatus is aspray bottle, a sprayer, a nozzle, or a drip line.

36. The kit of any one of alternatives 34-35, wherein the kit is aready-to-use kit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features disclosed herein are described below with reference to thedrawings. The drawings are provided to illustrate embodiments of theinventions described herein and not to limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment of asystem for producing the compositions described herein.

FIGS. 2A-2C show exemplary results of decrease in growth of the plantpathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis when treated with the compositionsdescribed herein. FIG. 2A depicts inhibition of germinate tube growthfor conventional M. fijiensis (M. fijiensis that shows signs ofmutation) with increasing concentrations of the composition. FIG. 2Bdepicts inhibition of germinate tube growth for wild type M. fijiensiswith increasing concentrations of the composition. FIG. 2C depictsinhibition of colony development for M. fijiensis with increasingconcentrations of the composition.

FIG. 3 depicts exemplary results of decreased growth of M. fijiensis inrich media (PDA) and poor media (AA) treated with the compositionsdescribed herein, as measured by colony diameter size, as compared to acontrol treatment lacking the compositions described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein. All references cited herein areexpressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and for thespecific disclosure referenced herein.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for controlling ormitigating the growth of pathogens that have a deleterious effect inglobal food production and plant health. Some embodiments relate tocompositions that include a metal nanoparticle and an organic acid. Insome embodiments, the composition is an activated composition. In someembodiments, the compositions are formulated for application to plants,or the compositions are formulated for administration to livestock oraquatic life. Some embodiments relate to methods of making thecompositions. Some embodiments relate to methods of controlling apathogen or methods of mitigating deleterious effects of a pathogen.

Demands on global food production output have consistently increased,putting a strain on the production of crops, food, and food products.Paralleled with the agriculture demand is the increasing demand tocontrol pathogens that deleteriously effect agricultural output. Thecompositions, systems, and methods described herein relate to methods ofincreasing yield and decreasing the harmful effects of pathogens.

As used herein, the term “agriculture” has its ordinary meaning asunderstood in light of the specification, and refers to plantcultivation, aquaculture (farms for fish and crustaceans), or livestockproduction. Agriculture can include production of food, medicines, orproducts from plants, aquaculture, or livestock. The type of plants thatmay be cultivated, aquatic animals that may be produced, or livestockthat are produced is not particularly limiting, and can include anytree, crop, aquatic animal, or livestock that has industrial,commercial, medical, recreational, ornamental, or aesthetic value.

Compositions

Embodiments provided herein relate to compositions that are used formitigating, controlling, or reducing harmful effects caused bypathogens. In some embodiments, the compositions include a metalnanoparticle and an organic acid or a combination of metal nanoparticlesand an organic acid.

As used herein, the term “metal nanoparticle” has its ordinary meaningas understood in light of the specification, and refers to a particlehaving an average diameter within the nanometer range, and includes oneor more metals. The nanoscale dimension and high surface area to volumeratio of nanoparticles makes their physicochemical properties distinctfrom those of bulk materials, which makes nanomaterials capable of beingapplied in diverse agricultural uses. In some embodiments, the metalnanoparticles in the composition have an average diameter ranging fromabout 1 nm to about 500 nm, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500nm, or an average diameter within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some embodiments, the metal nanoparticles inthe composition have an average diameter ranging from 5 nm to 20 nm. Insome embodiments, the metal nanoparticle include a single metal or acombination of metals. In some embodiments, the metal is gold, silver,magnesium, zinc, calcium, manganese, copper, palladium, nickel,platinum, titanium, cerium, iron, thallium, molybdenum, or an alloy,oxide, hydroxide, sulfide, nitrate, phosphate, fluoride, or chloridethereof. In some embodiments, the composition is a matrix fluid.

As used herein, the term “matrix” has its ordinary meaning as understoodin light of the specification, and refers to a mixture in which onesubstance of microscopically dispersed insoluble particles is suspendedthroughout another substance. Thus, in some embodiments, the compositionincludes dispersed or suspended elemental molecules or nanoparticles. Inthe scope of the disclosure, a matrix fluid refers to a composition thathas been activated using any one or more of the activation means.

As used herein, the term “organic acid” has its ordinary meaning asunderstood in light of the specification, and refers to an organiccompound having acid properties, including salts thereof. The organicacid can include, for example, any one or more of tannic acid, citricacid, tri-sodium citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid,succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, malic acid,ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamicacid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonicacid, naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, malonic acid,sulfosalicylic acid, glycolic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate, pamoate,salicylic acid, stearic acid, phthalic acid, mandelic acid, or lacticacid, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, selection of the metal to be used in the metalnanoparticle and selection of the organic acid in the composition isdetermined based on the environmental impact of the compounds whenapplied to agriculture systems, such that the composition has minimal,negligible, or undetectable impact on the environment. In someembodiments, selection of the metal to be used in the metal nanoparticleand selection of the organic acid in the composition is determined basedon the effects on humans or on the agricultural target, such that thecomposition has minimal, negligible, or undetectable harmful effects onhumans or on the agricultural target. In some embodiments, selection ofthe metal to be used in the metal nanoparticle and selection of theorganic acid in the composition is determined based on the inhibition ormitigation of a harmful pathogen, such that the composition effectivelyeliminates, inhibits, kills, slows, or prevents growth of the pathogen.In some embodiments, the selection of the metal to be used in the metalnanoparticle and selection of the organic acid in the composition isselected based on a combination of the components compatibility,storage, applicability, shipment, or other physical properties thatwould render the composition efficacious for its intended purpose. Insome embodiments, the selection of the metal to be used in the metalnanoparticle and the selection of the organic acid is a combination ofany of the aforementioned properties of environmental impact, human oragricultural health effects, pathogenic efficacy, and/or compatibility,or other considerations, such as commercial, cost, or availability ofthe components.

In some embodiments, any metal nanoparticle described herein is presentin the composition in an amount of less than about 1% of the amount ofan active ingredient in the composition. In some embodiments, any metalnanoparticle described herein may be present in the composition in anamount of less than about 1% of the amount of the organic acid, orcombination or organic acids, in the composition. For example, any metalnanoparticle described herein may be present in the composition in anamount of less than about 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%,0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, or 1% of an active ingredient or of the organicacid. In some embodiments, any metal nanoparticle described herein ispresent in the composition in an amount ranging from about 1 ppm toabout 50,000 ppm, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 450, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 150, 200, 250,300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500,3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500,9000, 9500, 10000, 15000, 20000, 25000, 30000, 35000, 40000, 45000, or50000 ppm, or in an amount within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some embodiments, the concentration of themetal nanoparticles in the composition varies depending on theparticular use of the composition. For example, a composition that maybe used for curative purposes may include metal nanoparticles in anamount of about 60 ppm, whereas a composition that may be used forpreventative purposes may include metal nanoparticles in an amountranging from about 15 ppm to about 30 ppm.

In some embodiments, the organic acid or salts thereof, or combinationof organic acids or salts there is present in the composition in anamount ranging from about 1% w/v to about 100% w/v, such as 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75,80, 85, 90, or 100% w/v, or in an amount within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some embodiments, the organic acidis citric acid, present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 10%,such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10% w/v. In some embodiments, thecitric acid is present in an amount of about 3.6% w/v. In someembodiments, the citric acid is present in an amount of about 4.5% w/v.In some embodiments, the organic acid or combination of organic acids ispresent in the composition in an amount ranging from about 10 ppm toabout 1,000,000 ppm, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000,3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 15000, 20000,25000, 30000, 35000, 40000, 45000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000,100000, 110000, 120000, 130000, 140000, 150000, 160000, 170000, 180000,190000, 200000, 250000, 300000, 350000, 400000, 450000, 500000, 550000,600000, 650000, 700000, 750000, 800000, 850000, 900000, 950000, or1000000 ppm, or in an amount within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values.

In some embodiments, the organic acid or combination of organic acidsmay be selected to control the size and/or dispersiveness of the metalnanoparticles in the composition. For example, the type of organic acid,the concentration of the organic acid, and other properties of thecomposition may be used to control the size and/or dispersiveness of themetal nanoparticles.

In some embodiments, the composition may include components thatfacilitates application of the composition to a plant, aquatic life, orlivestock. In some embodiments, the composition further includes otherchemical components, such as diluents or carriers. As used herein, a“diluent” has its ordinary meaning as understood in light of thespecification, and refers to an ingredient in a composition that lacksactivity but may be necessary or desirable. For example, a diluent maybe used to increase the bulk of an ingredient. It may also be a liquidfor the dissolution or dispersal of an ingredient to be applied. Acommon form of diluent in the art is an aqueous solution that iscompatible with plant, aquaculture, or livestock application, such thatthe composition does not adversely affect the growth of plants, aquaticlife, or livestock. A “carrier” has its ordinary meaning as understoodin light of the specification and refers to a substance, not itself anactive ingredient, which may facilitate the application of thecomposition to a plant, aquatic life, or livestock. The carrier may be aliquid for the dissolution of a compound. The carrier may improve thestability, handling, storage, shipment, or application properties of thecomposition.

In some embodiments, the compositions further include a surfactant. Asused herein, “surfactant” has its ordinary meaning as understood inlight of the specification, and includes compounds that lower thesurface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids or betweena liquid and a solid and includes emulsifying agents, emulsifiers,detergents, wetting agents, and surface-active agents. As used herein,the term “emulsifier” refers to a substance that stabilizes a mixture oftwo or more liquids that are normally immiscible (an emulsion). In someembodiments, the surfactant includes glycerol, alkylbenzenesulfonate,ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium dodecyl sulfate,SLS, or SDS), sodium laureth sulfate (sodium lauryl ether sulfate orSLES), sodium myreth sulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfo succinate (Docusate),perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorobutanesulfonate, alkyl-arylether phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, sodium stearate, sodiumlauroyl sarcosinate, perfluorononanoate, and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA orPFO). In some embodiments, the compositions include an emulsifierpresent in an amount of ranging from about 0.001% to about 10%, such as0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5,5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10%, or in an amount within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values.

In some embodiments, the composition is formulated as a solution, aspray, a mist, a seed coating, an electrostatically charged seed powder,or a powder. In some embodiments, the seed coating includes micronutrients. In some embodiments, the seed coating includingmicronutrients promotes improved seedling emergence or survival. In someembodiments, the seed coating including micronutrients promotesincreased yields. In some embodiments, the compositions formulated as aseed coating is used for seed storage. In some embodiments, the seedcoating is a conglomerate mixture with nutrients used to coat a plantseed. In some embodiments, the seed coating protects the plant seed fromharmful pathogens, such as fungi or bacteria during storage. In someembodiments, the seed coating allows for uniform size of plant seeds forbulk planting techniques. In some embodiments, the seed coatingincreases germination rates, increases seedling survival, and/orincreases crop yields.

In some embodiments, the composition is formulated for application to acrop by spraying, misting, soaking, watering, soil drenching,crop-dusting, or otherwise applying the composition to the plants, theportion of the plants, or components of the plants. In some embodiments,the composition is applied to the plant itself, such as to the leaves,stem, trunk, stalk, flowers, branches, fruits, roots, shoots, buds,rhizome, seeds, or other portions of the plant, or it is applied to thesoil in which or around which the plant is being cultivated. In someembodiments, the composition is formulated as a powder that is appliedto the plant or to plant parts, such as applied to harvested seeds,leaves, stem, trunk, stalk, flowers, branches, fruits, roots, shoots,buds, rhizome, or other portions of the plant, or to the soil in whichor around which the plant is being cultivated. In some embodiments, thecomposition is formulated together with a fertilizer or micro-nutrientfor application to a plant. Such fertilizers or nutrients may include,for example, trace minerals, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, manganese,magnesium, calcium, and/or any one or more of 90 trace elements. In someembodiments, the composition is formulated as a concentrated compositionthat may be diluted prior to application. For example, the compositionmay be formulated as a liquid concentrate that may be diluted with asolution, such as with water, or it may be formulated as a solid, suchas a powder, for dissolution in a solution, such as water. In someembodiments, the composition may be formulated as a ready-to-usecomposition. For example, the composition may be formulated as asolution that includes the appropriate concentrations of component partsfor direct application to a plant or may be formulated as a solid fordirect application to a plant.

In some embodiments the composition is formulated for application toaquatic life or livestock, for example, as a composition for topicalapplication to livestock, such as a spray, mist, solution, salve, orointment formulation, or for ingestion by livestock, such asdistribution of the composition in feed of the livestock, or in thelivestock environment. For example, the composition can be deposited inwater in which aquatic animals are being cultivated, the composition canbe incorporated into feed that is provided to aquatic life or livestock,incorporated into livestock water sewage storage lakes or ponds to killbacterium, virus, or fungi, or the composition can be applied to plantsthat field livestock ingest.

In any of the embodiments of the compositions provided herein, thecompositions are non-toxic and include component parts that exhibit notoxic effects to humans, to the agriculture that is being treated, or tothe environment, including no toxicity to ground water, flora, or fauna.In any of the embodiments of the compositions provided herein result inimproved agricultural health, including improved plant health and/orimproved crop production, or improved aquaculture or livestock health.Furthermore, embodiments of the composition provided herein enable easein application of the composition, and reduced quantities of compositionto be used in agricultural application.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to a kit that includes thecomposition and an applicator. In some embodiments, the kit is aready-to-use kit, wherein the composition included in the kit is readyto use by the user without further alterations. In some embodiments, thecomposition is provided in the kit in a container for application toagriculture. In some embodiments, the container is a spray applicatorcontaining the composition. In some embodiments, the composition is aconcentrated liquid, or a solid. In such embodiments, the compositionmay be added to a liquid, such as water, to dilute the concentratedliquid or to dissolve the solid composition. In some embodiments, thecomposition is a diluted composition. In some embodiments, the sprayapplicator is configured for industrial, commercial, home-gardener, orrecreational purposes. In some embodiments, the kit includes adispensing apparatus, such as a nozzle, a valve, a sprayer, or any otherapparatus capable of dispensing the compositions described herein to acrop, aquaculture, or livestock.

In any of the embodiments of the compositions described herein, thecomposition is formulated as a matrix fluid. In some embodiments, thematrix fluid is formulated as described herein. In some embodiments, thematrix fluid includes one or more metal nanoparticles and one or moreorganic compounds. In some embodiments, the matrix fluid exhibits energyfrequency interactions within the suspended particles in the matrixfluid. In some embodiments, the energy frequency interactions aredictated by quantum mechanics forces. In some embodiments, the energyfrequency interactions are tunable. In some embodiments, the energyfrequency interactions are modulated using excitations that disrupt oractivate quantum mechanics fields of suspended particles in the matrixsolution. In some embodiments, the excitations may be generated usingsonication, electron gun, ultra-low frequency vibrations, thermalexcitation, ultra-high frequency audio excitation, electro-acousticalexcitation, electro-magnetic excitation, laser excitation, or othermeans for disrupting or activating a quantum mechanics field. Methods ofmaking the composition, including the matrix fluid are described hereinin greater detail.

Methods of Making Compositions

Some embodiments provided herein relate to systems and methods of makingcompositions as described herein. In some embodiments, the methodsinclude synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Metal nanoparticles may besynthesized by chemical or physical means. For example, metal salts maybe in a chemical reaction with a reducing agent to reduce the ionicmetal to elemental metal in a nanoparticle form. Such reduction methodscan include contacting the ionic metal with organic compounds, ororganic reducers, such as sodium sulfite. Without wish to be bound bytheory, reduction of ionic metal to elemental metal using organiccompounds directs the synthesis of nanoparticle formation, controllingthe size of the nanoparticles and tailoring the surface of thenanoparticle. Certain organic reductants, such as tannic acid, may beused due to the harmless and environmentally friendly properties oftannic acid. Tannic acid is a plant derived polyphenolic compound, andis efficacious in reducing ionic metal and stabilizing nanoparticleformations. Thus, in some embodiments, the metal nanoparticles areformed using tannic acid mediated synthesis. In some embodiments, themethods include mixing an ionic metal with a reducing agent or with anorganic acid. In some embodiments, the organic acid includes any one ormore of tannic acid, citric acid, tri-sodium citric acid, acetic acid,oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid,gluconic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, palmitic acid,alginic acid, polyglutamic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid,methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, naphthalenedisulfonicacid, polygalacturonic acid, malonic acid, sulfosalicylic acid, glycolicacid, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate, pamoate, salicylic acid, stearic acid,phthalic acid, mandelic acid, or lactic acid, or combinations thereof.In some embodiments, the organic acid is a natural reagents, including,for example, tannic acid, citric acid, and/or tri-sodium citrate. Insome embodiments, the metal nanoparticles are formulated having anaverage diameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 500 nm, for example,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200,250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500 nm, or an average diameter within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In someembodiments, the metal nanoparticles are formulated having an averagediameter ranging from 5 nm to 20 nm. In some embodiments, the size ofthe nanoparticles is modulated based on the type and quantity ofreducing agent present in the composition. In some embodiments, themetal nanoparticles include a single metal or a combination of metals.In some embodiments, the metal is gold, silver, magnesium, zinc,calcium, manganese, copper, palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium,cerium, iron, thallium, molybdenum, or an alloy, oxide, hydroxide,sulfide, nitrate, phosphate, fluoride, or chloride thereof. In someembodiments, additional components or materials may be added to thecomposition at various stages of the manufacturing process.

In some embodiments, the methods include obtaining pre-synthesized metalnanoparticles mixed in pure water or in a matrix fluid described herein.In some embodiments, the pre-synthesized metal nanoparticles have adiameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 500 nm, including, forexample, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500 nm, or a diameter within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In someembodiments, the metal nanoparticles, whether manufactured as describedherein or obtained pre-synthesized are subjected to sonication. In someembodiments, the sonication reduces nanoparticle agglomeration,solubilizes, and/or disperses the metal nanoparticles in solution.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, a mechanism of inhibitory actionof metal nanoparticles on microorganisms may include the loss of abilityof plant DNA to replicate acrospores, resulting in inactivatedexpression of ribosomal subunit proteins and certain other cellularproteins and enzymes essential to ATP production. Further, ionic and/orcationic charges primarily affect the membrane integrity, such aspermeability, of membrane-bound enzymes, such as those in therespiratory chain. In summary, elemental metal nanoparticles exertpotent anti-pathogenic effects on agricultural pathogens, includingplant, aquaculture, or livestock pathogens. Pathogenic inhibition mayoccur through destruction of membrane integrity. Pathogenic inhibitionand fluid matrix mechanisms may also inhibit spore growth and asexualreproduction. In some embodiments, pathogenic inhibition increase foodproduction yield, such as increases yield of crops (in the case ofplants) or animals for food (in the case of aquaculture or livestock).

In some embodiments, the metal nanoparticles are further processed togenerate a matrix fluid. Thus, some embodiments provided herein relateto methods of generating a composition comprising metal nanoparticlesand an organic acid, wherein the composition is generated as a matrixfluid. In some embodiments, the matrix fluid is altered by energyfrequency interactions between the metal nanoparticles, which aredispersed or suspended in the matrix fluid. In some embodiments, thematrix fluid includes ionic, electronic, or quantum mechanics propertiesthat can increase ions in the fluid matrix In some embodiments, themethods include modulating the ionic, electronic, and/or quantummechanics properties of the matrix fluid by contacting the compositionwith an energy source using excitations that disrupt or activate quantummechanics fields of the suspended particles. In some embodiments, thematrix fluid exhibits alteration or modification of the quantumcharacteristics of suspended metallic nanoparticles. In someembodiments, the methods increase electron ion activity in the fluidmatrix. In some embodiments, the quantum characteristics include preciseenergy manipulations or vibrational motion of ionic radii, which can bemodulated within the matrix fluid such that the dispersed particles canbe rendered effectively “charged” at predictable levels, therebyexhibiting either an attractive or repulsive force between othersuspended particles. Without wishing to be bound by theory, arelationship between the free electrons in the matrix fluidsignificantly affects the composition efficacy in controlling ormitigating plant, aquaculture, or livestock pathogens. In someembodiments, the quantum characteristics can be turned on (static) oroff (dynamic). This process allows production of a matrix fluid with fargreater particle charges than naturally occur in nature, thus increasingefficacy.

In the scope of the disclosure, a matrix fluid refers to a compositionthat has been activated using any one or more of the activation means.In some embodiments, the activated composition (the matrix fluid) mayhave an altered viscosity compared to a composition that is notactivated.

In some embodiments, the excitations may be generated using sonication,electron gun, ultra-low frequency vibrations, thermal excitation,ultra-high frequency audio excitation, electro-acoustical excitation,electro-magnetic excitation, laser excitation, or other means fordisrupting or activating a quantum mechanics field.

As used herein, the term “quantum mechanics” in the context of thematrix fluid has its ordinary meaning as understood in light of thespecification, and refers to a mathematical description of the motionand interaction of atomic and subatomic particles in the matrix fluid,including the motion and interaction of atomic and subatomic particlesin the metal nanoparticles.

Some embodiments provided herein relate to systems for making the matrixfluid compositions described herein. In some embodiments, the systemsinclude a fluid treatment apparatus having a water distillation systemand an altered water storage tank. In some embodiments, the systemsinclude a distilled water production system. In some embodiments, thesystems include a dropping funnel sitting atop a flask having a stirrer.In some embodiments, the flask is used for generation of the metalnanoparticles, which are generated at a target diameter size using oneor more organic acids. In some embodiments, the systems include a matrixfluid stabilization storage tank. In any embodiment provided herein, thesystems include one or more process pumps, and a liquid flow path (suchas hosing or tubing) for conveyance of liquids to various componentparts of the system. In any embodiment provided herein the systemsfurther include a low voltage-high amperage variable power supply. Inany embodiments, the systems further include one or more activationchamber.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system 100 for making a matrix fluidcomposition as described herein. As shown in FIG. 1, metal nanoparticlesthat are formulated may be retained in an elemental nanoparticle storagecontainer 101. The elemental nanoparticle storage container 101 is notparticularly limiting in size, and can be any size ranging from a fewliters to many several hundreds of gallons, such as about 1, 2, 3, 4, or5 liters, or about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35,40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180,190, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800,850, 900, 950, or 1000 gallons, or in an amount within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. The systems may include one ormore storage containers. In some embodiments, the systems include one ormore storage containers that feed to the elemental nanoparticle storagecontainer 101.

As shown in FIG. 1, the metal nanoparticles flow from the elementalnanoparticle storage 101 through a flow pathway to a pump 102, and fromthe pump 102 to one or more activation chambers, 103 chamber A, 103chamber B, or 103 chamber C. The composition that includes the metalnanoparticles can flow through the flow pathway through a divertervalve. The pump 102 can flow the composition through the system at arate of ranging from less than about one liter per minute to more thanabout 50 gallons per minute, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 liters or 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 gallons perminute, or at a flow rate within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. The systems may include one or more pumps asnecessary for flow of the composition through the system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the activation chambers 103 are a sonication module103 A, laser excitation 103 B, and an electron gun 103 C. In someembodiments, the composition flows into one or more of activationchambers 103 A, 103 B, or 103 C. For example, the composition may flowinto activation chamber 103 A, 103 B, 103 C, 103 A and 103 B, 103 A and103 C, 103 A and 103 B and 103 C, or 103 B and 103 C. In someembodiments, the systems include one or more activation chambers, suchas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more activation chambers, and the compositioncan flow into any one or more of any of the activation chambers,including in any order.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sonication module 103 A applies energy to thecomposition, such as sound energy, which disrupts, activates, oragitates the molecules in the composition. In some embodiments, thesonication module 103 A increases nanoparticle densities at levelsgreater than could be achieved without activation. In some embodiments,the sonication increases ionic activity and/or increases phonons aboveionic threshold that would be considered normal without activation. Thesonication module 103 A can include application of ultrasonicfrequencies in the range of 20 kHz to 1 MHz, such as an ultrasonicfrequency of about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250,300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1000 kHz, or at afrequency within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. Sonication may be applied to the composition for a period oftime sufficient to modulate the quantum mechanics of the composition togenerate a matrix fluid, for example, for a time period ranging from oneminute to several hours, such as about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 minutes, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 hours, or for an amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some embodiments,the sonication module 103 A includes a sonication probe or a sonicationbath.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser excitation 103 B applies laser energy tothe composition. The laser emits energy based on stimulated emission ofelectromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the laser emits energyat a wavelength ranging from about 150 nanometers to about 1millimeters, such as 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600,650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, or 1000 nanometers, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 or 1000 micrometers, or at awavelength within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. Any suitable laser can be used in the system, including forexample a gas laser (such as a helium-neon laser, an argon laser, akrypton laser, a xenon ion laser, a nitrogen laser, a carbon dioxidelaser, a carbon monoxide laser, or an excimer laser), a chemical laser(such as a hydrogen fluoride laser, a deuterium fluoride laser, achemical oxygen-iodine laser, or al all gas-phase iodine laser), a dyelaser (such as a stilbene, coumarin, or rhodamine laser), a metal-vaporlaser (such as a helium-cadmium metal-vapor laser, helium-mercurymetal-vapor laser, helium-selenium metal-vapor laser, helium-silvermetal-vapor laser, strontium vapor laser, neon-copper metal-vapor laser,copper vapor laser, gold vapor laser, or manganese vapor laser), asolid-state laser (such as a ruby laser, a neodymium (Nd):yttriumaluminum garnet (YAG) laser, a NdCrYAG laser, an Er:YAG laser, aneodymium doped yttrium orthovanadate laser, a neodymium doped yttriumcalcium oxoborate laser, a neodymium glass laser, a titanium sapphirelaser, a thulium YAG laser, a ytterbium YAG laser, a ytterbium:₂O₃laser, a ytterbium doped glass laser, a holmium YAG laser, a chromiumZnSe laser, a cerium doped lithium strontium or calcium aluminumfluoride laser, a promethium 147 doped phosphate glass laser, a chromiumdoped chrysoberyl alexandrite laser, an erbium doped anderbium-ytterbium codoped glass laser, a trivalent uranium doped calciumfluoride laser, a divalent samarium doped calcium fluoride laser, or aFarbe-center laser), a semiconductor laser (such as a semiconductorlaser diode, a GaN, an InGaN, an AlGaInP, an AlGaAs, an InGaAsP, a leadsalt, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser, a quantum cascade laser,or a hybrid silicon laser), a free electron laser, a gas dynamic laser,a nickel-like Samarium laser, a Raman laser, a nuclear pumped laser, agamma-ray laser, a fiber laser, a photonic crystal laser, or a gravitylaser, or any combination thereof. The laser energy may be applied tothe composition at a power ranging from about 1 mW to about 1000 mW,such as about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1000 mW, orin an amount within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. The laser energy can be applied to the composition for a periodof time sufficient to sufficiently disrupt or activate the particles inthe matrix fluid, so as to modulate the quantum mechanics of the matrixfluid. For example, the laser energy may be applied to the compositionfor a period of time ranging from one minute to several hours, such asabout 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55,or 60 minutes, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 hours, or foran amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electron gun 103 C applies kinetic energy to thecomposition by emitting an electron beam, which destabilizes, disrupts,activates, or agitates the molecules in the composition. The electrongun may generate an electric field, or my emit electrons usingthermionic, photocathode, cold emission, or plasma emission, or maygenerate electrostatic or magnetic fields. In some embodiments, theelectron gun 103 C increases electron ion activity in the matrix fluidor increasing particle ions above thresholds that would be considerednormal without activation. In some embodiments, the electron gun 103 Cincludes one or more electrodes. The electron gun can be applied to thecomposition for a period of time sufficient to sufficiently disrupt oractivate the particles in the matrix fluid, so as to modulate thequantum mechanics of the matrix fluid. For example, the electron gun maybe applied to the composition for a period of time ranging from oneminute to several hours, such as about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 minutes, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 hours, or for an amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values.

The system of FIG. 1 can further include additional activation chambers,including, for example, thermal excitation, electro-magnetic excitation,electro-acoustical excitation. Thermal excitation can be used forincreasing nanoparticle densities above flocculation thresholds thatwould be considered normal without activation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system for making the matrix fluid compositionfurther includes a pump 104. The pump 104 can flow the matrix fluidcomposition from the one or more activation chambers 103 to a storagecontainer 105. The pump 104 can flow the matrix fluid compositionthrough the system at a rate of ranging from less than about one literper minute to more than about 50 gallons per minute, such as 1, 2, 3, 4,or 5 liters or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, or 50 gallons per minute, or at a flow rate within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. The storage container 105 is acontainer that is capable of storing the matrix fluid compositions. Thestorage container 105 can be of any size sufficient to store the matrixfluid composition for a period of time prior to shipment of the matrixfluid composition, or prior to applied usage of the matrix fluidcomposition. For example, the storage container can have a volume thatranges from 10 gallons to 10000 gallons, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000,1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000,6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, or 10000 gallons, or a volume within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some embodiments,the matrix fluid composition is stored within the storage container 105for a period of time ranging from about 10 minutes to about 2 years,such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 minutes, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 hours, or1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 days, or 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 weeks, or 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 months, or 1 or 2 years, or for a period oftime within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. Insome embodiments, the matrix fluid composition is immediately utilizedfor treating pathogen in agricultural applications, such that the matrixfluid composition is not stored in the storage container 105. In someembodiments, the systems include one or more storage containers forstorage of the complete product.

In some embodiments, additional compounds, such as carriers, diluents,surfactants, or emulsifiers, may be added to the composition at variousstages in the system. For example, in some embodiments, an additionalcompound is added to the composition prior to activation in theactivation chambers 103. In some embodiments, the additional compound isadded to the composition after activation in the activation chambers103. In some embodiments, the additional compound is added to thecomposition during activation in the activation chambers 103.

In some embodiments, the systems further include one or more centrifugefor removing insoluble particulate matter. In some embodiments, acentrifuge is used on the composition prior to flowing the compositionto the elemental nanoparticle storage container 101. In someembodiments, a centrifuge is used on the composition prior to flowingthe composition to the one or more activation chambers 103. In someembodiments, a centrifuge is used on the composition prior to storage ofthe activated composition in the storage container 105. The compositionmay be subjected to centrifugal force in the centrifuge in an amountranging from about 1000×g to about 100,000×g, such as 1000, 1500, 2000,2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000,8500, 9000, 9500, 10000, 11000, 12000, 13000, 14000, 15000, 16000,17000, 18000, 19000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000,90000, or 100000×g, or in an amount within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. The composition can be subjected tocentrifugal force in the centrifuge for a period of time sufficient toremove insoluble particulate matter, such as for a time ranging fromabout 1 minute to about 60 minutes, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 minutes, or for a periodof time within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.

In some embodiments, the matrix fluid compositions retains stabilityand/or activation for a period of time longer than the period of timethat the matrix fluid composition is stored in the storage container105. Thus, the matrix fluid compositions are stable for a period of atleast about 2 years, such as at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 months, or for aperiod of time within a ranged defined by any two of the aforementionedvalued. Stability of the matrix fluid composition can include, forexample, stability of the metal nanoparticles, such that the metalnanoparticles remain dispersed or suspended in the matrix fluidcomposition, stability of the matrix fluid, such that the energyfrequency interactions between the metal nanoparticles or betweenmolecules in the matrix fluid remain disrupted or activated during thestorage period. In some embodiments, the stability of the matrix fluidcomposition includes retaining stability such that the matrix fluidcomposition retains efficacy in mitigating, eliminating, inhibiting,killing, slowing, or preventing growth of a pathogen that affectsagriculture. For example, the stability of the matrix fluid compositioncan retain its efficacy in treating agricultural pathogens in an amountranging from about 25% to 100%, such as greater than 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99or 100% efficacy, or in an amount within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values.

In any embodiments of the systems and methods of making thecompositions, during generation of the matrix fluid, the compositionsmay be maintained at a constant temperature or to adjust the temperatureto a target temperature. Thus, the systems may further include means forcooling or heating the composition in order to maintain a constanttemperature, or in order to adjust the temperature to a targettemperature. Means for cooling the composition may include, for example,refrigerated fluid lines, ice baths, cold air or cold liquid flow, iceslurry compressors, radiators, or other cooling means. Means for heatingthe composition may include, for example, hot air or hot liquid flow,electric heaters, electromagnetic induction heaters, or other heatingmeans. In some embodiments, the composition is maintained at atemperature ranging from about 4° C. to about 95° C., such as 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or95° C., or at a temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some embodiments, the temperature of thecomposition may be changed depending on whether the composition is inone or more of the activation chambers or in the storage container.

In any embodiments of the systems and methods for making thecompositions, the systems can further include input conduits, outputconduits, sampling valves, switches, pumps lines, hoses, housing,motors, fans, propellers, impellers, agitators, aerators, over-flowcontainers, thermometers, insulation, actuators, filters, concentrators,or other components. In some embodiments, any one or more of theaforementioned components is included in the system to contribute toefficiency of the system, to increase the ability to regulate or modifythe composition manufacturing, or to comply with manufacturingrequirements.

In any embodiments of the systems and methods for making thecomposition, the systems can be automated systems having computerprocessors, memory, circuits, sensors, monitors, real-time feedbackloops, pumps, actuator, switches, algorithms, or any combinationthereof, thereby enabling artificial intelligence programming to yieldprecise manufacture and generation of the compositions described herein.In some embodiments, the automated systems continuously regulate,monitor, and modulate the amount and duration of energy applied to thecomposition, whether by sonication, laser, or electron gun irradiation,or by any other energy source, and/or regulate, monitor, and modulatethe flow rate of the composition through the system, and/or regulate,monitor, and modulate the temperature of the composition in the system.In some embodiments, the automated systems are capable of determiningthe degree of energy frequency interactions in the matrix fluid, and arecapable of adjusting the energy frequency interactions by modulating thequantity and duration of energy input. In some embodiments, theautomated systems modulate the blending and mixing of various componentsof the compositions, including ionic metals, reducing agents, organicacids, diluents, or carriers or other components of the compositions. Insome embodiments, the automated systems may include a manual overridesuch that a user may manually adjust the variables of the system,including the amount and duration of energy input, the flow rate, and/orthe temperature. In some embodiments, the automated systems may be usedfor precise filed application requirements, wherein conditions may varyrequiring custom product parameters. Thus, in any of the embodimentsdescribed herein, the systems and methods of making the compositions maybe performed automatically, manually, or with timed control.

In any embodiments of the systems and methods for making thecomposition, the systems can be controlled remotely, such as by use of aphone application, remote computer control, or other remote control toregulate or control the system inputs from a remote location. In someembodiments, the systems and methods may include a remote alert system,configured for altering producing staff during production of thecomposition. Any of the remote systems described herein may beaccomplished by cellphone, internet, landline communication, or otherremote communication means.

In any embodiments of the systems and methods for making thecomposition, the systems further include a secondary power source. Insome embodiments, the secondary power source acts as an alternativepower source should a primary power source on a power grid fail.Examples of a dedicated power source include gasoline, propane, ordiesel engine driven generators, solar cells, batteries, or otherbankable power sources. In any of the embodiments provided herein, thepower switching to the alternative power source may be accomplished byautomated sensing of a failure of the primary power grid, or by manualswitching to the alternative power source.

Methods of Use

Some embodiments provided herein relate to methods of using matrix fluidcompositions provided herein for mitigating, eliminating, inhibiting,slowing, controlling, or preventing growth of a pathogen that affectsagriculture, aquaculture, or livestock.

As used herein “mitigate” has its ordinary meaning as understood inlight of the specification, and refers to alleviating or reducing apathogen or alleviating or reducing harmful effects of the pathogen. Asused herein “eliminate” has its ordinary meaning as understood in lightof the specification, and refers to eradication of a pathogen oreradication of harmful effects of the pathogen. As used herein “inhibit”has its ordinary meaning as understood in light of the specification,and refers to a reduction in an amount of a pathogen or a reduction inharmful effects of the pathogen. As used herein “kill” has its ordinarymeaning as understood in light of the specification, and refers to thedestruction of a pathogen or destruction of harmful effects of thepathogen. As used herein “slow” has its ordinary meaning as understoodin light of the specification, and refers to reducing the spread of apathogen or reducing the harmful effects of the pathogen. As used herein“control” has its ordinary meaning as understood in light of thespecification, and refers to maintaining influence over a pathogen orover harmful effects of the pathogen. As used herein “prevent” has itsordinary meaning as understood in light of the specification, and refersto disabling a pathogen or harmful effects of a pathogen. The termsmitigate, eliminate, inhibit, kill, slow, control, or prevent are not tobe construed as 100%, and can include partial or complete mitigation,elimination, inhibition, death, slowing, control, or prevention of thepathogen or of harmful effects of the pathogen. For example, themitigation, elimination, inhibition, death, slowing, control, orprevention can be of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%,or an amount within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues.

In some embodiments, the methods include treating agriculture having apathogenic disease with the matrix fluid compositions described herein.As used herein, the terms “treating,” “treatment,” “therapeutic,” or“therapy” do not necessarily mean total cure or abolition of the diseaseor condition.

As used herein “pathogen” has its ordinary meaning as understood inlight of the specification, and refers to an organism that causes adisease in agriculture, particularly in a food crop, ornamental plants,fish and crustaceans, or livestock. The pathogen may include, forexample a mold, mold spore, fungus, mutated fungus, fungi spore,bacterium, mutated bacterium, virus, mutated virus, nematode, mutatednematode, prion, or mutated prion, or any other plant, aquaculture,livestock, or soil pathogen. In some embodiments, the pathogen is aresistant pathogen that is resistant to pesticides in common use, whichare therefore ineffective in treating the pathogen. In some embodiments,the pathogen is any pathogen that adversely effects the growth ofplants, the appearance of plants, the production of plant food,cultivation of plants, or production of aquatic life or livestock, andis therefore not particularly limiting to any specific species orpathogen. In some embodiments, the pathogen is any and all forms ofanthracnose or any and all types of Fusarium (including F. oxysporum f.sp. Cubense or F. solani), Thielavopsis (root rot), Mycosphaerella(including M. fijiensis and M. musicola), Verticillium, Magnaporthegrisea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Ustilago, Rhizoctonia (including R.solani), Cladosporium, Colletotrichum (including C. coccodes, C.truncatum, or C. gloeosporoides), Trichoderma (including T. viride or T.harzianum), Helminthosporium (including H. solani), Alternaria(including A. solani or A. alternata), Aspergillus (including A. nigeror A. fumigatus), Phakospora pachyrhizi, Puccinia, Armillaria, oomycetes(such as Pythium or Phytophthora, including Phytophthora infestans orPhytophthora cinnamons), phytomyxea (such as Plasmodiophora orSpongospora), Erwinia, Burholderia, Proteobacteria (such as Xanthomonasor Pseudomonas), Pectobacterium (including P. carotovorum), Dickeya(including D. dianthicola), Agrobacterium (including A. tumefaciens),Xanthomonas (including X. vesicatoria or X. campestris), Clavibacter(including C. michiganensis), phytoplasmas, spiroplasmas, Bigeminivirus,Monogeminivirus, Hybrigeminivirus, Ipomovirus, Macluravirus, Nanavirus,Ourmiavirus, Satellite RNA, Satellivirus, Varicosavirus, viroids,nematodes (such as Globodera), protozoa (such as Phytomonas), or algae(such as Cephaleuros). Further examples of pathogens that are harmful toaquatic life, and which may be mitigated or inhibited using thecompositions described herein include, for example, Aeromonas (includingfor example, A. hydrophila or A. salminocida), Pseudomonas (including,for example, P. fluorescens), Photobacterium, Vibrio (including, forexample, V. anguillarum, V. salmonicida, V. alginolyticus, V. costicola,V. harveyi, V. splendidus, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V.cholerae), Renibacterium (including, for example, R. salmonarum),Salmonella, Clostridium, Streptococcus, taura syndrome virus, white spotbaculovirus, yellowhead virus, norovirus, calicivirus, hepatitis Avirus, or infections hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus.Without wishing to be bound by theory, the matrix fluid compositionssaturate and cohere to pathogens and inhibit the pathogen functions. Forexample, the matrix fluid compositions destroy membrane integrity of thepathogens, thereby preventing or eliminating pathogenic disease. In someembodiments, the soil in which a crop is being cultivated is compromisedwith a soil-based pathogen.

The agriculture that is treated is not particularly limited, and can beany agriculture having a pathogenic disease. The agriculture could be acrop, aquaculture, or livestock agriculture. In some embodiments, theagriculture exhibits industrial, commercial, recreational, or aestheticvalue. In some embodiments, the agriculture is a plant. In someembodiments, the plant is a poinsettia, flowers, lupin, grass, alfalfa,trees, or ivy. In some embodiments the crop is a food producing plant.In some embodiments, the crop is a banana, cacao, coffee, bean, cotton,maize, wheat, rice, corn, potato, tomato, pepper, squash, gourds,cucumber, berry, grape, pome, drupe, citrus, melon, tropical fruit,cotton, nuts, soybean, sorghum, cane, cucurbits, onion, aubergine,parsnip, hemp, herbs, other plant, or pulse. In some embodiments, thelivestock is an aquatic livestock, such as fish, mollusks, orcrustaceans.

In some embodiments, the methods include applying the matrix fluidcomposition to the crop or to the soil in which the crop is growing.Applying the matrix fluid composition may be achieved by various means,including, for example, by spraying, drenching, soaking, watering,crop-dusting, misting, high-pressure liquid injection, or otherwiseapplying the matrix fluid composition to the plants or surrounding soil.In some embodiments, the matrix fluid composition is applied to theplant itself, such as to the leaves, stem, trunk, stalk, flowers,branches, fruits, roots, shoots, buds, rhizome, seeds, or other portionsof the plant, or it is applied to the soil in which or around which theplant is being cultivated. In some embodiments, the matrix fluidcomposition is formulated as a seed coating, and the method includescoating a seed with the composition. In some embodiments, the seedcoating is an electrostatic seed coating. In some embodiments, the seedcoating includes micronutrients. In some embodiments, the seed coatingprotects the plant seed from harmful pathogens, such as fungi orbacteria during storage. In some embodiments, the seed coating allowsfor uniform size of plant seeds for bulk planting techniques. In someembodiments, the seed coating increases germination rates, increasesseedling survival, and/or increases crop yields. In some embodiments,the matrix fluid composition is formulated as a powder, and the methodincludes applying the powder to the plant or to plant parts, such asapplied to seeds, leaves, stem, trunk, stalk, flowers, branches, fruits,roots, shoots, buds, rhizome, or other portions of the plant, or to thesoil in which or around which the plant is being cultivated. In someembodiments, the matrix fluid composition is formulated together with afertilizer or nutrient, and the method includes applying the fertilizeror nutrient to the plant. Such fertilizers or nutrients may include, forexample, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, magnesium and/orcalcium. In some embodiments, the pathogen becomes ineffective directlyupon contact with the matrix fluid compositions described herein.

In some embodiments the methods including applying the composition toaquatic life or to livestock. In some embodiments, the methods includetopically applying the composition to aquatic life or livestock, such asby applying a spray, mist, solution, salve, or concentrated formulation.In some embodiments, the compositions are applied to livestock wasteponds or lakes, such as to feces run-off ponds or lakes. In someembodiments, the methods include feeding the composition to aquatic lifeor livestock, such as by distributing the composition in water or feedof the aquatic life or livestock, or in the aquatic life or livestockenvironment. In some embodiments, the methods include depositing thecomposition in water in which aquatic livestock are being cultivated, ordistributing the composition to plants that field livestock ingest. Insome embodiments, the aquatic life includes fish, crustaceans, ormollusks, such as fish, shrimp, or oysters.

EXAMPLES Example 1—Manufacturing the Matrix Fluid Composition

The following example demonstrates an exemplary method for making anexemplary matrix fluid composition for use in mitigating or controllinga plant or aquaculture pathogen.

An ionic metal, such as a metal nitrate of silver, zinc, gold, or othermetal is solubilized in a solution of water to a concentration of 100 mMto generate metal nanoparticles. Tannic acid and tri-sodium citrate aremixed in a large container with rapid mixing. The temperature range canbe at a temperature ranging from about 25° C. to about 95° C. Thequantities and ratio of tannic acid and tri-sodium citrate are altereddepending on the desired size and uniformity of metal nanoparticles. Inone example, tannic acid may be used in an amount of 5 mM to 30 mM andtri-sodium citrate may be used in an amount of 30 to 300 nM. The metalsolution is added to the mixture of tannic acid and tri-sodium citratesolution over a defined period of time by slowly dripping or injectingthe metal solution into the mixture at a specific temperature. Thesolution is stirred to form metal nanoparticles. In some instances,pre-synthesized metal nanoparticles were obtained. Additional componentsmay be added, such as sodium citrate or emulsifiers. Differentconcentrations of sodium citrate may be used to finely tune nanoparticlesize and/or aggregation state. The metal nanoparticles have a diameterranging from 1 nm to 500 nm. The composition is added to an activationchamber, wherein the composition is sonicated at 20 kHz for 20 minutes,thereby activating the composition to generate a monodisperse matrixfluid. The sonication disrupts the quantum mechanics field of thecomposition, and results in formation of a matrix fluid composition. Thematrix fluid composition is adjusted such that the final concentrationof metal nanoparticles in the composition is in an amount of 1% or lessof the amount of citrate in the composition.

Example 2—Additional Methods of Making the Matrix Fluid Compositions

The following example demonstrates an additional method for making anexemplary matrix fluid composition for use in mitigating or controllinga plant, aquaculture, or livestock pathogen.

Silver nitrate salt was mixed with purified water to a finalconcentration of 0.1 M to generate silver nanoparticles. The solutionwas stirred until completely solubilized. A dilution of ionic metal wasprepared to yield metal ions of 1 mM to 100 mM following addition ororganic acids. Tannic acid was added to the ionic metal solution in afinal concentration of 30 mM, and allowed to mix for a period of time.After mixing, trisodium citrate was added to the metal nanoparticle to afinal concentration of 30 to 300 mM. The addition of tannic acid andtrisodium citrate results in formation of metal nanoparticles having adiameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 10 nm. The diameter of thenanoparticles is tightly controlled by adjusting the concentrations oftannic acid or tri-sodium citrate, by adjusting the mixing temperature,or by adjusting the reaction temperature. After nanoparticleformulation, the solution of silver nanoparticles was mixed by stirringor sonication. In some instances, pre-synthesized silver nanoparticleswere obtained. Citric acid was then added to the solution to yield thedesired concentration. The solution was centrifuged at a force rangingfrom 1000×g to 100,000×g.

Example 3—Treating Plant Pathogens

The following example demonstrates an exemplary method for treating aplant pathogen using the matrix fluid composition prepared in Example 1or Example 2.

The matrix fluid composition of Example 1 or Example 2 is applied toplants to treat a type of Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungal pathogenFusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense, a soil-borne disease. The matrixfluid composition is applied to the soil as well as to the plantsthemselves by spraying the plants and/or drenching or by high-pressureinjection into the soil of depths from 1 to 36 inches. The compositionis deposited to the plants or surrounding soil in an amount sufficientto generally coat the plant or drench the soil, including the regions ofthe plant affected by the pathogen, or in the soil sufficient fortreatment of the roots and for root uptake. The matrix fluid compositionis sprayed on the plants on day 1. A control group is tested by applyinga non-activated composition that does not include the matrix fluid tothe plants on day 1. The plants are observed daily for a period of 30days. After 30 days, the plants that are sprayed with the matrix fluidcomposition of Example 1 exhibit complete restoration of plant health,as determined by visual inspection of the plants. Plants that receivethe matrix fluid composition of Example 1 also exhibit increased yieldin fruit production. Plants that did not receive the matrix fluidcomposition of Example 1 exhibit increased pathogenic disease asdetermined by visual inspection of the plants.

Example 4—Treating Banana Plants

The following example demonstrates an exemplary method for treatingbanana plants having black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) using thematrix fluid composition prepared in Example 1 or Example 2.

The matrix fluid composition of Example 1 was applied to banana plantsto treat black sigatoka, caused by the ascomycete fungal pathogenMycosphaerella fijiensis. The matrix fluid composition was applied tothe soil as well as to the plants themselves by spraying the plants andsurrounding soil with the composition in an amount sufficient togenerally coat the plant, including the regions of the plant affected bythe pathogen. The matrix fluid composition was sprayed on the plants onday 1 in varying concentrations (ranging from 10 ppm to 100 ppm). Asshown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the composition inhibited germinate tube growth inboth conventional populations (FIG. 2A) and wild-type populations (FIG.2B) of M. fijiensis. Conventional populations showed signs of mutation,whereas wild-type populations did not. In addition, the compositioninhibited M. fijiensis colony development (FIG. 2C). The M. fijiensisstructures, including the ascospores and colonies, exhibited decreasedgrowth and development with increased concentration of the composition.In addition, M. fijiensis was plated on agar plates having rich medium(potato dextrose agar; PDA) and poor medium (antibiotic agar; AA). Theplates were treated with a control composition, a 25 ppm matrix fluidcomposition, and a 50 ppm matrix fluid composition. As shown in FIG. 3,the colony grew in the medium subjected to the control, as measured bycolony diameter. Using the 25 ppm matrix fluid composition, the colonywas completely inhibited (100% inhibition) in both the poor medium andthe rich medium. Using 50 ppm matrix fluid composition, the colony wascompletely inhibited in the poor medium, and significantly inhibited inthe rich medium (81% inhibition).

In addition to inhibiting germinate tube growth and inhibiting colonydevelopment as described, the plants also exhibited drastic improvementin appearance, such that the wilted and destructive appearance of thedisease was no longer visible upon visual inspection after a period ofonly 72 hours after treatment. The plants also exhibited increasedbanana yields.

Additional variations than those described herein will be apparent fromthis disclosure. For example, depending on the embodiment, certain acts,events, or functions of any of the compositions, systems, or methodsdescribed herein can be performed in a different sequence, can be added,merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or eventsare necessary for the practice of the algorithms). Moreover, in certainembodiments, acts or events can be performed concurrently. In addition,different tasks or processes can be performed by different machinesand/or computing systems that can function together.

The foregoing description and examples has been set forth merely toillustrate the disclosure and are not intended as being limiting. Eachof the disclosed aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure maybe considered individually or in combination with other aspects,embodiments, and variations of the disclosure. In addition, unlessotherwise specified, none of the steps of the methods of the presentdisclosure are confined to any particular order of performance.Modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit andsubstance of the disclosure may occur to persons skilled in the art andsuch modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure.Furthermore, all references cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety.

Terms of orientation used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “horizontal,”“vertical,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “end” are used in the contextof the illustrated embodiment. However, the present disclosure shouldnot be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, otherorientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure.Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as diameter orradius, should be understood not to require perfect circular structures,but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with across-sectional region that can be measured from side-to-side. Termsrelating to shapes generally, such as “circular” or “cylindrical” or“semi-circular” or “semi-cylindrical” or any related or similar terms,are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions ofcircles or cylinders or other structures, but can encompass structuresthat are reasonably close approximations.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,”“may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that some embodiments include, while other embodiments do notinclude, certain features, elements, and/or states. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements, blocks, and/or states are in any way required for one or moreembodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logicfor deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed inany particular embodiment.

By “about” is meant a quantity, level, value, number, frequency,percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by asmuch as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1% to a referencequantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size,amount, weight or length. When a value is preceded by the term about,the component is not intended to be limited strictly to that value, butit is intended to include amounts that vary from the value.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” shouldgenerally be interpreted to include one or more described items.Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended toinclude one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devicescan be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. Forexample, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B, and C”can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation Aworking in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry outrecitations B and C.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like aresynonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and donot exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and soforth. Likewise, the terms “some,” “certain,” and the like aresynonymous and are used in an open-ended fashion. Also, the term “or” isused in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so thatwhen used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or”means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Overall, the language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly basedon the language employed in the claims. The language of the claims isnot to be limited to the non-exclusive embodiments and examples that areillustrated and described in this disclosure, or that are discussedduring the prosecution of the application.

Although system and methods have been disclosed in the context ofcertain embodiments and examples, this disclosure extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the embodiments and certain modifications and equivalentsthereof. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments canbe combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varyingcompositions, systems, or methods. The scope of this disclosure shouldnot be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described herein.

Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context ofseparate implementations can be implemented in combination in a singleimplementation. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single implementation can be implemented in multipleimplementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Althoughfeatures may be described herein as acting in certain combinations, oneor more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, beexcised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as anysubcombination or variation of any subcombination.

While the methods and devices described herein may be susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereofhave been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limitedto the particular forms or methods disclosed, but, to the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments describedand the appended claims. Further, the disclosure herein of anyparticular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality,attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can beused in all other embodiments set forth herein. Any methods disclosedherein need not be performed in the order recited. Depending on theembodiment, one or more acts, events, or functions of any of thealgorithms, methods, or processes described herein can be performed in adifferent sequence, can be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g.,not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of thealgorithm). In some embodiments, acts or events can be performedconcurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interruptprocessing, or multiple processors or processor cores or on otherparallel architectures, rather than sequentially. Further, no element,feature, block, or step, or group of elements, features, blocks, orsteps, are necessary or indispensable to each embodiment. Additionally,all possible combinations, sub-combinations, and rearrangements ofsystems, methods, features, elements, modules, blocks, and so forth arewithin the scope of this disclosure. The use of sequential, ortime-ordered language, such as “then,” “next,” “after,” “subsequently,”and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwiseunderstood within the context as used, is generally intended tofacilitate the flow of the text and is not intended to limit thesequence of operations performed. Thus, some embodiments may beperformed using the sequence of operations described herein, while otherembodiments may be performed following a different sequence ofoperations.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or describedin the specification in a particular order, such operations need not beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, and alloperations need not be performed, to achieve the desirable results.Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporatedin the example methods and processes. For example, one or moreadditional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, orbetween any of the described operations. Further, the operations may berearranged or reordered in other implementations. Also, the separationof various system components in the implementations described hereinshould not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the describedcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singleproduct or packaged into multiple products. Additionally, otherimplementations are within the scope of this disclosure.

Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanyingfigures. Certain figures are drawn and/or shown to scale, but such scaleshould not be limiting, since dimensions and proportions other than whatare shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. Distances, angles, etc., are merely illustrative anddo not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions andlayout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed,and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particularfeature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute,element, or the like in connection with various embodiments can be usedin all other embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, any methodsdescribed herein may be practiced using any device suitable forperforming the recited steps.

The methods disclosed herein may include certain actions taken by apractitioner; however, the methods can also include any third-partyinstruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication.

In summary, various embodiments and examples of compositions, systems,and methods for treating agricultural pathogens have been disclosed.Although the compositions, systems, and methods have been disclosed inthe context of those embodiments and examples, this disclosure extendsbeyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternativeembodiments and/or other uses of the embodiments, as well as to certainmodifications and equivalents thereof. This disclosure expresslycontemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosedembodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Thus,the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particulardisclosed embodiments described herein, but should be determined only bya fair reading of the claims that follow.

The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap,sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “atleast,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includesthe number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “about” or“approximately” include the recited numbers and should be interpretedbased on the circumstances (e.g., as accurate as reasonably possibleunder the circumstances, for example ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, etc.). Forexample, “about 1 V” includes “1 V.” Phrases preceded by a term such as“substantially” include the recited phrase and should be interpretedbased on the circumstances (e.g., as much as reasonably possible underthe circumstances). For example, “substantially perpendicular” includes“perpendicular.” Unless stated otherwise, all measurements are atstandard conditions including temperature and pressure.

1. A method of mitigating or controlling a plant pathogen, the methodcomprising: applying a composition to a plant, a portion of a plant, aplant component, or to soil in which a plant is being cultivated,wherein the composition comprises one or more metal nanoparticles andone or more organic acids, and wherein the plant pathogen is a mold,mold spore, fungus, mutated fungus, fungi spore, bacterium, mutatedbacterium, virus, mutated virus, nematode prion, or mutated prion. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the plant component is a leaf, stem,trunk, stalk, flower, branch, fruit, root, shoot, bud, rhizome, or seed.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant pathogen is Fusariumoxysporum f. sp. Cubense.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plantpathogen is Mycosphaerella fijiensis.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinapplying the composition comprises spraying, misting, crop-dusting,soaking, seed-coating, dripping, injecting, or watering the plant orsoil in which the plant is being cultivated.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein applying the composition treats a plant disease.
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein the plant disease is Fusarium wilt.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise gold, silver,magnesium, zinc, calcium, manganese, copper, palladium, nickel,platinum, titanium, cerium, iron, thallium, molybdenum, or an alloy,oxide, hydroxide, sulfide, nitrate, phosphate, fluoride, chloride, or acombination thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or moreorganic acids comprise tannic acid, citric acid, tri-sodium citric acid,acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, maleic acid,fumaric acid, gluconic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid,palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid, naphthalenesulfonicacid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, malonic acid,sulfosalicylic acid, glycolic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate, pamoate,salicylic acid, stearic acid, phthalic acid, mandelic acid, or lacticacid, or combinations thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein themetal nanoparticles are present in an amount of less than 1% of theamount of the one or more organic acids.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the metal nanoparticles are present in the composition in anamount ranging from about 1 ppm to about 20,000 ppm.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles are monodispersed viasonication, emulsification, surfactant, or similar suspensiontechniques.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition isactivated by excitation with sonication, a laser, an electron gun, orthermal excitation.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the compositionis formulated as a spray, a fluid matrix, a mist, a seed coating, orpowder.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles havea diameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 200 nm.
 16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles are silver nanoparticlespresent in an amount of about 10 ppm to about 20,000 ppm, having adiameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 20 nm, and wherein the one ormore organic acids comprise tannic acid present in an amount of about 5mM to about 30 mM, and citric acid present in an amount of about 3.6%w/v, or tri-sodium citrate present in an amount of about 30 mM to about300 mM.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition remainsstable for a period of at least 2 years.
 18. The method of claim 1,wherein the plant is a banana plant.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe banana plant has increased visual appearance following applicationof the composition.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the banana plantexhibits increased yield in fruit production following application ofthe composition.